NFL Draft: What if someone unexpected dropped to the Browns?

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Unexpected draft drops

Focus for this week’s NFL Draft talk will be on players who are expected to be gone by Pick 26, but perhaps there are some reasons that could see them slip on draft day down to the Browns selection. Here are those players with one of the reasons that they might fall further than what you’ll see on most mock draft boards.

1 Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Reasons for possible drop: Offseason back surgery, previous ACL surgery, opted out of 2020 season

2 Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Reasons for possible drop: Off-the-field issues (has started multiple fights one that led to high school transfer), opted out of 2020 season

3 Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Reasons for possible drop: Limited collegiate experience and production.

4 Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Reasons for possible drop: Injury history (knee, hamstring) combined with smallish size for position.

5 Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Reasons for possible drop: Lack of ball skills (only two interceptions in three seasons), crowded cornerback class, opted out early in 2020 season

Discussion

JoeGilbert — at 6:15 PM
Here are my quick write-ups on these five guys:

Farley is a bigger corner at 6-foot-2 with the versatility to play in an array of coverages. Even with this size, he is a fluid and fast corner who is able to mirror receivers well. He shows good click and close ability in zone and off coverage. The back injuries are extremely troubling, though, so if he drops, I would be wary of what the medicals are saying.

Parsons is an explosive athlete at linebacker. His speed is his game. He can play sideline to sideline. He was very good at rushing the passer for a linebacker. He used his explosion, agility, and speed to get around the edge or come through the line as a blitzer. He has experience in zone coverage, showing solid click and close ability. I wonder about his man coverage skills because he did not show a lot of it in college. And, his off-field issues are extremely troubling. Given this and his coverage questions, I would not consider him at No. 26.

Paye is an incredible athlete with rare explosion and twitch. He can explode off the line of scrimmage and then use his agility and flexibility to sidestep or elude the blocks of opposing blockers. He is a bit undersized, but his strength is not a question. His production is a tad concerning, but the tape shows his ability. I would fully be comfortable taking him.

Owusu-Koramoah is a fun player. I consider him a rover safety rather than a traditional outside linebacker. He is a really good athlete with the ability to do numerous roles for the defense, including covering tight ends, running backs, and receivers in man coverage. This is why I consider him a rover safety. His size and athleticism fit that spot better, too. Obviously, the medicals have to check out, but I would definitely consider him at No. 26.

Horn is a prototypical man coverage corner. He is a physical corner with the fluidity and athleticism to mirror receivers all across the field. He is physical at the catch point and not afraid to make tackles. I could care less about the number of interceptions he has had in his career because his ball skills are not a question in my eyes. Sadly, I think he is a pipe dream to fall to No. 26. The Browns would run to the podium if he fell to them.

Michael Bode — at 7:39 AM
Starting with the corners, Farley and Horn are both really good and would provide the type of excellent second starter to Ward that allows everyone else to downshift and become a better overall secondary. Farley probably has a better chance to drop given his issues and worries that the surgery won’t be the end of them. Teams taking him better have a medical expert to consult because he’ll be in the middle of rehab.

Interesting that @JoeGilbert wouldn’t consider Parsons at 26 given he is a Top 10 pick in most mocks. Those issues are real though and despite the media craze, I would have him third on my list of LB (behind Collins and JOK). Definitely can see a scenario where he is there at 26 and bypassed.

JOK is probably the toughest player to judge on the list. He seems like a perfect new-age hybrid LB-S combo player. 4-3 to nickel without changing on field personnel. But… will he be like Bob Sanders where he makes big impact just also spends a ton of time missing games due to his lack of size? I would still take him, but JOK wouldn’t necessarily be a slam dunk pick.

Andrew Schnitkey — at 7:42 AM
You know, in reading these recent draft roundtables, I just have to say, it’s pretty awesome that the Browns are drafting low enough that I don’t know anything about any of these guys and haven’t even heard of 90 percent of them.
I’m so used to them drafting in the Top 10 where I know all of the prospects and have super strong opinions on who I want them to take. This year, I just feel so ignorant about who they should take, and it’s a refreshing feeling being so in the dark. Ignorance is bliss! Haha.

Michael Bode — at 7:45 AM
@Andrew Schnitkey would know a whole lot more about Paye had The Game been played in 2020. Of those on the list, he is the biggest stretch to drop to 26 and the Browns would turn their card in immediately with his name on it. Paye needs a good situation to impact on the field right away, but there are few better than what he would have in Cleveland (still weird to say).

Andrew Schnitkey — at 7:56 AM
Yeah, I will admit that the disjointed nature of this past college football season also reduced my chances of seeing a lot of guys play in general. Not that I would still know enough to have a preference or write about all of them like you guys do, but I would certainly at least heard of more of these guys. But I was pretty checked out on college football outside of Ohio State this past year.

JoeGilbert — at 8:36 AM
Yeah it will be interesting to see how the guys who opted out are dealt with. Will they fall because of a lack of information. This draft may be more wild than most.